After Park Daejin's very public arrest, the office was left in stunned silence.
Minah had returned to her desk, but her thoughts were elsewhere—until she noticed someone approaching.
A young man in a crisp black suit stepped into her line of sight.
"You must be Minah," he said gently.
She looked up, cautious.
"I'm Kang Ho," he continued. "My boss asked me to bring you to his residence. Please follow me."
His tone was polite, and his expression calm. Not threatening—but still… Minah hesitated. Her fingers clutched the hem of her skirt again, a reflex she couldn't shake.
Kang Ho noticed but didn't comment. Instead, he offered a small smile. "I don't eat people," he said lightly. "And don't worry—your former boss is going with the officers. Not with us."
That earned the tiniest blink from Minah.
He led her down to the company parking lot, where a sleek black Mercedes SUV pulled out of its space—on its own. The smooth, automated motion made Minah stop in her tracks, blinking in surprise.
Kang Ho chuckled softly. "Smart car. Don't worry—it's not haunted."
She looked at him briefly before nodding and slipping into the back seat. The interior smelled faintly of cedar and leather. Quiet. Luxurious. Controlled.
The ride was long, and neither of them spoke much. Kang Ho respected her silence.
An hour passed, and soon the car slowed as they entered a gated property. Minah sat up straighter.
Her eyes widened.
She knew this place.
It was that house—the one she had woken up in after the incident. Her breath hitched.
This… was his home.
She didn't realize it yet, but this had been Jae Wook's plan all along.
Kang Ho opened the door for her and led her down the familiar hallway until they reached a pair of tall double doors.
"He's waiting inside," Kang Ho said gently. "Just go in when you're ready."
Then he left her alone.
Minah took a breath and opened the door.
Inside, the room was bathed in cool light. The ceiling high, the shelves lined with antique books, and at the far end—an enormous painting.
St. Michael and Satan, locked in their eternal clash, wings against flame.
And in front of it, standing still as a statue, was Han Jae Wook.
His hands were in his pockets. His gaze fixed on the painting.
He didn't turn around.
But his voice filled the room.
"You came."
-----
Jaewook finally turned to face her.
"Sit down," he said, motioning gently to the couch across from him.
Minah hesitated for a moment, then quietly stepped forward and lowered herself onto the edge of the couch, her hands still nervously clasped together in her lap.
Without a word, Jaewook walked to a nearby drawer and pulled something out—a familiar slip of photo paper.
"You dropped this yesterday in the car."
He held it out.
Her eyes widened.
It was the photo—the one of her and the boy from long ago, smiling in a mall with cotton candy in hand.
Relief flooded her eyes as she took it, her fingers lightly trembling. Then, instinctively, she lifted her hands and signed:
Thank you.
Jaewook's lips curved ever so slightly into a small, knowing smile.
"You're welcome."
Minah's breath hitched.
No one—no one—had ever responded to her in sign language, not since her real parents. Not even her foster family had bothered to learn. She looked at him, eyes wide with cautious disbelief.
He sat down across from her, casually sipping from a delicate cup of jasmine tea.
"I read your profile," he said, voice low and calm. "You learned American Sign Language at a young age. I've only studied a few basic signs. I'm not fluent. Yet."
There was no pride in his tone. Just quiet intention.
His eyes locked onto hers, sincere and unwavering.
"I asked Kang Ho to bring you here because I wanted to ask you this directly—only if you're comfortable."
He set the teacup down.
"Stay at your job if you want. But marry me."
The words hung in the air like the final note of a melody.
"I'll protect you with everything I have," he continued. "Not because I pity you. But because I already made that decision a long time ago."
Minah's heart beat faster, but she stayed still.
"You don't have to answer now," Jaewook said, his voice softening. "Take your time."
Then, with a quiet breath, he added, "Also… just so you're aware… you won't be able to return to your current house after tonight."
Her eyes darted up.
"I asked Hyun Soo to prepare a new bedroom for you at the villa. It's safe. Yours alone. No obligations."
He stood up and walked to the window, his back to her once more.
"I'll respect your decision. Whatever it is. I won't force you into anything."
Minah sat there, frozen in time, the photo still warm in her hands.
He remembered her. Protected her. Even learned her language.
But most of all—he offered her something no one ever had.
A choice.